Paddlefish season underway on Table Rock Lake
Adriana Keeton
Spring paddlefish season began March 15, 2022, and will run through April 30, 2022, on Table Rock Lake.
Paddlefish, commonly known as spoonbills, due to their paddle-shaped snouts that account for upwards of a third of their body, are one of America’s largest freshwater fish and can weigh more than one hundred pounds.
Since the first stock of fingerling paddlefish were introduced in Table Rock Lake by the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1972, paddlefish have become popular among southwest Missouri anglers due to their speed and strength. They are commonly found in the upper reaches of the James River Arm within three miles of Flat Creek. Public access includes Cape Fair and Bridge Port in Stone County.
A new regulation change established a statewide minimum length limit of 32 inches-measured from eye to fork of tail- for sport/recreational taking of paddlefish, up from the previous minimum length of 24 inches. The existing minimum length limit of 34 inches-measured from eye to fork of tail-will remain in effect for Table Rock Lake.
A fishing permit is required, unless exempt. New regulations to Table Rock Lake are as follows:
The daily limit is two paddlefish, with the possession limit set at four paddlefish. No one can continue snagging after taking their daily limit of two paddlefish.
The current Missouri state record for paddlefish is 140 pounds, 9 ounces. The record breaking fish was snagged from Table Rock Lake in March of 2015, by Andy Belobraydic, of Richwoods.
Don’t forget to submit your catches to editor@cranechronicle.com.
Spring paddlefish season began March 15, 2022, and will run through April 30, 2022, on Table Rock Lake.
Paddlefish, commonly known as spoonbills, due to their paddle-shaped snouts that account for upwards of a third of their body, are one of America’s largest freshwater fish and can weigh more than one hundred pounds.
Since the first stock of fingerling paddlefish were introduced in Table Rock Lake by the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1972, paddlefish have become popular among southwest Missouri anglers due to their speed and strength. They are commonly found in the upper reaches of the James River Arm within three miles of Flat Creek. Public access includes Cape Fair and Bridge Port in Stone County.
A new regulation change established a statewide minimum length limit of 32 inches-measured from eye to fork of tail- for sport/recreational taking of paddlefish, up from the previous minimum length of 24 inches. The existing minimum length limit of 34 inches-measured from eye to fork of tail-will remain in effect for Table Rock Lake.
A fishing permit is required, unless exempt. New regulations to Table Rock Lake are as follows:
The daily limit is two paddlefish, with the possession limit set at four paddlefish. No one can continue snagging after taking their daily limit of two paddlefish.
The current Missouri state record for paddlefish is 140 pounds, 9 ounces. The record breaking fish was snagged from Table Rock Lake in March of 2015, by Andy Belobraydic, of Richwoods.
Don’t forget to submit your catches to editor@cranechronicle.com.